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Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend in sport

If there was a Dally M award for the No.1 competitor in the NRL this year, a Canberra Raiders veteran would be $1.01 to claim the prize. Phil Rothfield’s highlights and lowlights.

Jordan Rapana. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Jordan Rapana. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend in sport, including more NRL bunker debacles and the game’s best competitor.

HIGHLIGHT

Canberra Raiders veteran Jordan Rapana would be hard to beat if there was a Dally M award for the No.1 competitor in the NRL this year. His effort plays and overall performance – not just the field goals – against the Dolphins on Saturday night were just outstanding.

LOWLIGHT

Again, the bunker. In the dying stages of the Raiders v Dolphins thriller, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth was forced off for an HIA after clearly being struck in the head by Joe Tapine with forceful contact. The bunker watched a replay but ignored it. Not even a penalty. It was a game-changing decision. Take nothing away from the Raiders because they’ve had their share of bum calls this year as well.

SHOOSH

The Rabbitohs have space in their salary cap to add some desperately needed middle-forward strength this year. There is talk they might be interested in Sharks prop Royce Hunt.

SHOOSH

Saturday night’s win over Penrith was particularly rewarding for bulldozing Dragons centre Moses Suli against Ivan Cleary. He was sacked by Cleary at the Wests Tigers back in 2018.

SPOTTED

The desperation in the defence of the Canterbury Bulldogs was there for all to see against Newcastle on Friday night. The Dogs missed 44 tackles but still kept their tryline intact. It was magnificent energy, enthusiasm and scrambling, not that the Knights threw much at them.

The Bulldogs celebrate their victory over Newcastle. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
The Bulldogs celebrate their victory over Newcastle. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

SPOTTED

Player managers Gavin Orr, Liam Ayoub and talent scouts from Souths, Sharks, Roosters, Dolphins, Titans and Broncos at a Maori under-15s and under-17s carnival in Rotorua over the weekend.

360 VIEW

Catch you Monday on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and Brent Read to discuss the State of Origin latest and the weekend round of NRL.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield reveals his highlights and lowlights from the weekend in sport

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/monday-buzz-phil-rothfield-reveals-his-highlights-and-lowlights-from-the-weekend-in-sport/news-story/05e621ddf8a9f47cc899a5b30994eb0a